Gonerfest is back and bigger than ever: What to expect at Memphis' annual rock music fest

Gonerfest is all grown up. The annual Memphis rock music festival is marking its 21st edition this year, and the event is still expanding.

Presented by the Cooper-Young-based record label and retail store  Goner Records , Gonerfest 21 will take place Sept. 26-29, mostly at Midtown's  Railgarten , with opening and closing ceremonies set for Central Station and Bar DKDC . The multiday fest will bring together acts from Memphis and across the globe for one of the Bluff City's unique cultural events.

This year, Gonerfest will expand beyond its usual Thursday through Saturday schedule, to add an additional day of music at Railgarten on Sunday.

"We had so many people who wanted to play, we couldn't keep saying no," said Goner's Zac Ives. "So we decided to just stretch it out another day this year and see if we survive."  

Here are five things to know about Gonerfest.

Gonerfest's history in Memphis

Back in 2005  Goner Records  co-owners Ives and Eric Friedl were planning an album release for one of their artists, The King Khan & BBQ Show. They intended to book a small show at the now-defunct Buccaneer Lounge, but so many people asked to play on the bill, the one-night concert quickly grew into four days of music featuring more than a dozen bands.

The pair dubbed this accidental festival "Gonerfest." Nineteen years and 20 events later — there were two separate fests in year one — Gonerfest is still going strong and will mark its 21st go 'round next week.

Over the years, Gonerfest has developed into a niche but signature Memphis event, drawing hundreds of fans from around the world. Musically, the booking has evolved beyond Goner's trash and garage rock roots to take on a mix of styles and performers. It's also gained the support and sponsorship of companies ranging from FedEx to Apple Music while retaining its singular artistic spirit and communal vibe.

After a pandemic pause in 2020 — during which a limited version of the event went on as a streaming-only proposition — Gonerfest returned in 2021 as an in-person event at a new home in Midtown's Railgarten (while also being available as a streaming event, an option that continues for those who can't make it in person).

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Gonerfest 2024's main attractions

This year Gonerfest will feature an opening night headlining performance from Derv Gordon, a member of legendary 1960s U.K. freakbeat band The Equals. The 78-year-old Gordon, set to appear on Sept. 26, will be backed by Bay Area band So What, as he performs hits and favorites from The Equals catalog, including "Baby Come Back," "Police and Thieves" and "Michael and the Slipper Tree."

The Sept. 27 headliner will be New York City legend Jon Spencer. Spencer will be performing as part of a three-piece band, who will play songs from across his catalog, including the best of his iconic groups Pussy Galore, the Blues Explosion and Heavy Trash.

Reunited San Francisco combo The Rip Offs — who were one of the underground's most buzzed about bands in the early-'90s before breaking up — will make their Gonerfest debut on Sept. 28.

And Gonerfest's new extra day, Sept. 29, will see Brooklyn-based experimental outfit Oneida close out the festival at Railgarten in the afternoon.

Gonerfest's global participants

Goner's Ives notes that the festival will once again have an international flavor with a strong contingent of acts journeying from all over the world to perform in Memphis.

"We've got people from overseas, including African desert blues collective Etran de L'Air from Niger," says Ives. "Japanese garage punks Angel Face are playing, and psych/shoegaze band Bailter Space from New Zealand is also coming."

Ives adds that Gonerfest will also see "another strong showing from Australia, with Split System, Gee Tee, Michael Beach and RFMC all making the trip from down under."

Those international performances will also include sets by Canadian bands Puppet Wipes, Feeling Figures and PYPY, among others.

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Gonerfest events beyond Railgarten

While most of the action at Gonerfest will be centered on Midtown's Railgarten for the four days of main shows, the festival will officially klick off on the afternoon of Sept. 26 with opening ceremonies at Downtown's Central Station. The welcoming event and ticket/pass pickup, which runs from 2-4 p.m., will feature music spun by DJ Hot Tub Eric, aka Eric Plumley, and is free and open to all.

On Sept. 29, Gonerfest's closing ceremonies will return to Cooper-Young's Bar DKDC, with a "Come Down Dance Party, featuring multiple Goner DJs. That show is set to begin at 8 p.m., and entry is $20.

Gonerfest tickets and streaming passes

Gonerfest golden passes — which provide entry to all events — are still available for $150. Single-day/night tickets for Railgarten shows are $60 per day, for Thursday through Saturday shows. Tickets for Sunday's Railgarten finale are $20.

For those who can't travel to Memphis to attend or wish to watch from the comfort of their own homes, Goner will again offer a livestream of all the performances. Viewing tickets for that are $20.

Tickets and passes at all levels are available at  Gonerfest.com .

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Gonerfest 2024 in Memphis: Everything to know from lineup to tickets & streaming